FCC to Probe Janet Jackson Exposure

Federal Communications Commission chairman Michael Powell Monday announced an investigation of the Super Bowl halftime program that showed the bare breast of pop diva Janet Jackson at the end of a bump-and-grind routine with singer Justin Timberlake.

"I am outraged at what I saw during the halftime show of the Super Bowl. Like millions of Americans, my family and I gathered around the television for a celebration. Instead, that celebration was tainted by a classless, crass and deplorable stunt. Our nation's children, parents and citizens deserve better," said Powell, the father of two young sons.

Powell -- who is urging Congress to jack up the dollar amounts he can fine TV and radio stations for indecent broadcasts -- pledged quick action on the Jackson affair.

"I have instructed the [FCC] to open an immediate investigation into last night's broadcast. Our investigation will be thorough and swift," he said.

MTV: Music Television -- which produced the stage extravaganza -- has issued an apology, saying, "The tearing of Janet Jackson's costume was unrehearsed, unplanned, completely unintentional and was inconsistent with assurances we had about the content of the performance."